Hits of yesterday bridge with today

McCartney offers some things old, new and rarities

Paul McCartneys current U.S. tour is more than a series of
concerts. Its more like a long and winding mystery tour of the
mans life and music.

Stepping on stage Saturday night at Houstons Toyota Center,
McCartney, armed with his signature Hofner bass, rocked and crooned,
charmed and electrified, and threw in some unexpected moments for a
truly transcendent performance.

Highlights of the nearly three-hour set included previous McCartney
live staples like "Live and Let Die," "Hey Jude" and "Band on the Run."
And while the hits abounded, Paul regaled the mostly middle-aged throng
with some noteworthy rarities.

The first song he recorded with John Lennon and George Harrison as
the Quarrymen, "In Spite of All the Danger," was followed a just a few
songs later by "Too Many People," an acrimonious if veiled commentary
on the Beatles breakup.

McCartney also performed songs from his latest CD, "Chaos and
Creation in the Backyard," with "Jenny Wren" and "English Tea"
receiving the warmest response.

The crowd of more than 20,000 was on its feet for most of the show,
but the biggest ovation went to the crew of the Space Shuttle
Discovery. When it came to McCartneys attention that they started
the last day of their difficult mission with his "Good Day Sunshine,"
arrangements were made to join him on stage to the audiences
ecstatic approval.

McCartney even hauled out a couple of Beatles songs that he had
never performed on stage in the United States. The tonsil-shredding
vocals of "Ive Got a Feeling" and "Helter Skelter" belied
McCartneys 63 years.

And when Paul stood alone strumming his acoustic guitar and sweetly
sung "Yesterday," everyone warbled along, bridging their respective
pasts to a moment of undeniable connection not just with the singer,
but with each other.